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Afghanistan: ISAF, local government battle Pech River floods

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June
28) - ISAF soldiers responded to flooding of the Pech River in eastern
Afghanistan June 26, that killed four people, destroyed a home, several
bridges and washed away a road earning the praise of a local official.

"ISAF forces came to offer their
help and we appreciated their quick efforts, as well as the central government's,
to provide support," said Daree Pech Sub-Governor Haji Zalmai Khan.

The flooding also made the only road
to the village impassable. A retaining wall collapsed by flooding
in a nearby village was responsible for the four deaths.

ISAF forces provided sandbags and dirt
to help support a temporary retaining wall. They also brought other
supplies and aid including a tent for the family whose home was demolished.

By early afternoon, construction vehicles
had already begun fending the waters off by dumping huge amounts of sand
and rocks to allow aid to come through.

Locals also came to the government to
volunteer their help as a line of men stood by to fill sandbags and move
rocks.

According to an ISAF official, the local
government already had necessary emergency services well underway and were
developing plans to repair the damage.

"When I got there to offer our support,
it was obvious that the government had things under control," said
Maj. Stephen Sutton, Task Force Rock civil affairs officer.

"It's a sign that everyone turned
to the government," Sutton said. "The people now realize
they can all go to the same place, and that they depend on the government's
leadership. That is a milestone. It demonstrates the government has
become their center. Which is a relatively new concept here."

The prompt reaction by the authorities
was an example of effective local leadership, Sutton said.